AN EDUCATION TO BANK ON – Jye Blackley, Class of 2001
It’s a long way from Rosalind Park to Central Park, New York. And for BSSC alumni, Jye Blackley, it’s a journey he never planned nor could have imagined.
Fifteen years after graduating, he finds himself working in the Big Apple on some of the biggest banking deals in the world.
Jye works as an Associate in ANZ’s Global Diversified Industries Research and Analysis team, has recently married, and loves his new life in cosmopolitan NYC.
“After graduating from BSSC in 2001, I enrolled in a Bachelor of Finance at La Trobe University, Bundoora,” he says. Post-Uni, I moved to Sydney for work and completed the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program.
“Finance might not sound exciting, but I love the challenges it presents. It allows me to do something I’m passionate about and provides me with a sense of accomplishment. I love living in New York and experiencing the diversity of cultures, experiences and opportunities the city brings.
Jye remembers his BSSC days with fondness, and believes the college gave him the opportunity to follow his passion and capitalise on his strengths.
“Coming from Eaglehawk Secondary College, attending BSSC gave me the opportunity to meet students from all over Bendigo, vastly increasing my circle of friends and networks,” Jye says.
“I still remember Mark Lau’s Accounting class – learning about general ledgers, debits, credits and trail balances. Gaining those skills (and attending Business Management) were important in helping me determine my career path.
“There’s no doubt it helped me considerably through University and provided me an edge in the Corporate world (given that many bankers don’t have a Finance-heavy educational background.”
Jye still keeps in touch with some of his old school friends and catches up with them when he visits Bendigo.
His advice to current students is to follow your goals in life, no matter what.
“Don’t let anything stop you from achieving them,” he says. “Nothing is out of reach.
“I recently told someone that at 17, I never imagined that I could go from Myers Flat to working in New York City. I’m just an average person, but my experience proves that if you put your mind to something, study hard and work towards your goals you can achieve anything.”
